Stamford Mayoral candidate Michael Fedele thanks supporters after a car rally through Stamford, which ended with a pizza party in the parking lot of Tomato Tomato on Shippan Avenue in Stamford, on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013.
Photo: Amy Mortensen

Paul McAllister, 60, the Democratic candidate for mayor in Danbury,...

Beth Krumeich is a candidate for the first selectman of the Town of Greenwich, at Greenwich Democratic Town Committee Campaign Kickoff and Picnic at Garden Education Center, Bible Street , Greenwich, Conn., Sunday, 8, 2013.
Photo: Helen Neafsey

While it might not have the sex appeal of an even-numbered year as elections go, plenty is at stake in Tuesday's municipal elections across Connecticut for Republicans, Democrats and for first-term Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

Winning back the mayorship of Malloy's home city of Stamford ranks high on the list of prizes for Democrats, who control seven of the 10 most populous cities in the state but fewer than half of all municipalities.

Republicans are looking to hold onto Danbury, Norwalk, Greenwich and Stamford -- where Malloy was mayor from 1995 to 2009 -- but have failed to field a mayoral candidate in New Haven. They're billing these municipal elections as a mini-referendum on Malloy, who was listed by National Public Radio as one of the most vulnerable incumbents up for re-election next year.

"I think the evidence of that is pretty clear," said Jerry Labriola Jr., the state GOP chairman. "In Stamford, the Malloy-endorsed candidate for mayor lost his primary and, in Bridgeport, the Democratic Party endorsed candidates for Board of Education lost their primary challenges despite their state party backing them to the tune of $40,000. It seems pretty clear that the Democrat establishment brand is struggling with a lot of voters, even in their own party."

Malloy's office referred questions on the municipal races to the Connecticut Democrats, who dismissed that there will be a carry-over effect in 2014.

"All politics is local," said James Hallinan, a Democratic spokesman. "There's no Democratic or Republican way to fix a pothole."

The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, with just over 2 million state residents eligible to vote.

In Connecticut, Republicans (414,711) make up the smallest bloc of the electorate after unaffiliated voters (842,723) and Democrats (741,340), according to the Secretary of the State's office.

"We're not expecting a large shift in the number of cities under Democratic and Republican control," Hallinan said.

Out of power for the past four years in Stamford, Democrats ride into Election Day with Board of Finance member David Martin as their candidate against former GOP Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele. During the Democratic primary, Malloy endorsed state Rep. William Tong before throwing his support to Martin for the general election.

In Danbury, the GOP's Mark Boughton is seeking a seventh term as mayor, while exploring a run for governor in 2014. He faces latecomer Paul McAllister Jr.

In Greenwich, fellow Republican Peter Tesei is trying to become only the second person since the office of first selectman became a full time job to win a fourth two-year term. He is opposed by Democrat Beth Krumeich.

The state GOP is also looking to traditional Democratic strongholds for potential pickups on Tuesday, however.

In Bristol, where Republicans are outnumbered 2-to-1 in party enrollment, Democratic Mayor Art Ward is retiring after six years in office. Ken Cockayne, the senior member of the City Council's Republican caucus, will face Democrat Chris Wilson.

In the same part of the state, the GOP also has visions of turning blue-collar New Britain, the home of Stanley Black & Decker Inc., a deep hue of Republican red. The party is running Erin Stewart, 26, the daughter of former Mayor Timothy Stewart and a school board member, for the city's top office.

"I expect the majority of towns and cities under GOP control to expand (Tuesday)," Labriola said. "We've been hard at work staying focused on this year's elections, but I think the Republican Party is poised to gain a momentum advantage tomorrow that will certainly carry over into next year's elections."

Despite a desire to make inroads in Connecticut's cities, which have propelled Democrats to a string of victories in statewide and federal elections, the state GOP is not fielding a mayoral candidate in New Haven. The race is between State Sen. Toni Harp and Alderman Justin Elicker, Democrats who faced off in the primary won by Harp.